Question

Certain items are purchased jointly. If each person pays 8coins, the surplus is 3coins, and if each person gives 7coins, the deficiency is 4coins. Let x represent the number of people and y the number of coins needed to purchase the items. Find the numberof people and the number of coins used to purchasethe items.

Answer 1

• 7 people
• 53 coins

Explanation:

The problem statement tells us ...

8x = y +3

7x = y -4

Subtracting the second equation from the first gives ...

x = 7

Then ...

y = 7x +4 = 7·7 +4 = 53

There are 7 people, and 53 coins are required for purchase.